Discover Chiusi: Cathedral, Etruscan Finds and Sentiero della Bonifica

A trip to Chiusi can bring together different interests: sacred art, Etruscan finds, an unpaved cycling and walking path, and local fish cuisine on Lake Chiusi. If you are looking for a hotel, consider which of these aspects you want to shape your stay. The cathedral and museums represent art and history, the Sentiero della Bonifica offers activity along a canal, and Brustico is a specific regional way of preparing food.

Chiusi Cathedral and its collections

The Cathedral of San Secondiano has eighteen reused Roman columns. Each column is different, and their capitals also feature a variety of styles. The presbytery contains a mosaic from the 4th to 5th century, recovered from an older basilica. If you are interested in architectural and art history, you can consider the columns as an architectural detail and the mosaic as an artistic one.

The Cathedral Museum offers a different focus. It displays a collection of illuminated Benedictine codices from the second half of the 15th century, which came from the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. While the cathedral’s architectural features and mosaic take centre stage there, here the focus is on illuminated manuscripts. Their origin and date give the collection a distinct historical and institutional context.

At the Museo Etrusco di Chiusi, the focus is on finds from the Chiusi area. The museum was founded in 1871 to display the many finds excavated there. One notable object is the Canopo di Dolciano: made of bronze and terracotta, it dates from the late 7th century BC. Thus, a collection of numerous regional finds sits alongside a specific object with identified materials and a defined date.

The labyrinth and its underground structures

The labyrinth adds underground structures to the museum’s themes. Its tunnels date from the 4th century BC and were probably used for waste disposal, drainage and the city’s water supply. The labyrinth also includes a monumental Etruscan-Roman cistern with walls carved into sandstone; it dates from the 1st century BC. The combination of tunnels and cistern illustrates different kinds of underground structures, while the tunnels’ purpose remains a probable interpretation.

Walking or cycling along the Sentiero della Bonifica

The Sentiero della Bonifica offers a different focus. The unpaved path is about 62 kilometres long, connects Arezzo with Chiusi, and follows the Canale Maestro della Chiana. It is suitable for cycling and walking and closed to motor vehicles. It can be accessed from Chiusi Scalo or Chiusi Città. The approximate length and the stated access points can help you plan the path as a main activity alongside a visit to the collections.

Brustico on Lake Chiusi

Local cuisine is also closely connected to the lake. Brustico is a dish of lake fish cooked over an open flame using reeds from the lake. It is then filleted and served with oil, salt, pepper and lemon. Restaurants on the shore of Lake Chiusi serve Brustico as a starter or main course. The preparation and place on the menu give you a specific culinary focus alongside the cultural attractions and walking route.

Opening hours for the Chiusi Cathedral Museum and the catacombs may vary. Check the latest times if you are planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Abbadia San Salvatore, Torri, Taverne D'arbia, Poggibonsi, Toiano, Colombaio, Murlo, Sinalunga.

See the overview of the wider region: Siena.